FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - MAURITANIA (15 September)
Crop development is satisfactory reflecting generally widespread and adequate rains. Following abundant rains in late July, precipitation remained generally widespread and above normal in August. Substantial rains were registered in late August in Assaba and Gorgol. Following these good rains, crops are developing satisfactorily. Late plantings or replantings lasted up to late August.
Pastures are adequate countrywide. Grasshopper attacks have been reported in Brakna and Gorgol. A total of 878 hectares have been treated against grain eating birds, notably in Trarza. Low numbers of Desert Locusts were present during August in southern Brakna, Trarza and the two Hodhs. Small scale breeding is in progress in Brakna and will continue in the other areas. There may be a slight shift of populations towards the west when vegetation starts to dry. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission is scheduled in October to estimate 2000 cereal production.
The food situation improved in rural areas following a favourable harvest in rainfed areas in 1999. Markets are well supplied. However, some populations remained vulnerable in some areas of Aftout and Affol�, Tagant, southern Assaba and the two Hodhs following reduced harvests. Food distributions have been undertaken in Brakna, Gorgol, Tagant and Trarza for populations affected by large floods in late 1999. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 260 000 tonnes (excluding reexports) and the food aid requirement at 25 000 tonnes.
Back
to menu